FRANKIE Gavin is ready to take on the challenge which Amir Khan ducked by fighting IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook in a big British world title clash next month.
It is understood that a fight between Brook (pictured below) and Gavin has been agreed and could even be signed and announced officially by their promoter Eddie Hearn before the week is out.
The 29-year-old from Birmingham had been slated to fight South African Chris van Heerden in his home town on May 9, but that now appears unlikely to go ahead.
Gavin will earn a career-highest payday - although nothing close to the multi-millions allegedly offered to Khan - when he challenges Brook at the O2 Arena in London on May 30.
The world title bid is a huge step up for Britain's only world amateur champion, but the 29-year-old from Birmingham is confident his pedigree will give him an excellent chance of dethroning the unbeaten Yorkshireman.
"I'm not stupid. I'm not delusional. I'm going to have to perform out of my skin," said Gavin.
"But I've definitely got it in me to do it. I'm very confident Kell can be beaten and hopefully it's someone with my skills who will do it.
"Nothing is signed or done yet but I know Eddie's spoken to Kell and Kell's up for it and I'm up for it. So we're going to sit down and have another chat in the next two days and hopefully get it done.
"I think I've got the skills to upset Brook and take him out of his rhythm. It's easier s a i d than done but I'm g o i n g to be 100 per cent re a d y, physically and mentally, and if I get that world t i t l e shot I'll be ready."
Gavin believes former amateur team-mate Khan has made the wrong move by avoiding Brook and instead choosing a safer fight against Chris Algieri as he continues to chase a shot at
Floyd Mayweather. "I don't know what it is with Khan," said Gavin.
"Listen, he's a clever man, he's got money, he's done well, but I don't think it's a clever move to turn Brook down and fight Chris Algieri instead.
"It's a no-win situation. He's going to smash Algieri up whereas Khan v Brook is a very close fight. If Brook gets to him and starts landing shots, he beats Khan. If Khan uses his speed and rhythm, he wins it.
"Maybe Khan just doesn't want to risk losing the Mayweather fight and he knows he won't lose to Algieri so it's safer."
Brook - who won the IBF title with victory over American Shawn Porter in California last August, returned to action last month - forcing a fifth round stoppage against Jo Jo Dan in Sheffield.
He dominated in his home town, flooring Dan four times before the Romanian failed to come out for the fifth round.
It was the first time Brook had fought since he was stabbed in the leg while on holiday in Tenerife shortly after the Porter fight.
Gavin, meanwhile, would come into the fight with just one loss on his record, a split decision defeat to experienced Italian Leonard Bundu last August.